The American Dream has no clear-cut definition. Overtime, there are many philosophies that state different ideologies and changes to the American dream. Here is the root concept: it is about accomplishment and is individual based – it is through hard work, determination and strength of mind that if you want a better life, you can achieve anything - you are the master of your own destiny.
There once was a man that thought, “God helps those who help themselves.” He was taught at a young age: “If you wanted something done, you had to do it.” He had everything: a great job, new cars, expensive house, good-looking wife, kids and he owned lots of land to play on (with his man toys). But yet, he was not content. He needed more! Nothing could satisfy him. This driving passion eventually leads him to distance himself from his family by dedicating himself to work. He started to travel more and to be even further away from his family. What was the leading cause…? Discontentment, personal drive, success, riches, pride? Yep, all of it drove him in the pursuit of being: more successful, building more prestige, making more money. He wanted to “have it all,” to be the master of his own destiny.
Matthew 16:26 (NIV), “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
You see… I… was well on my way to losing my soul. The thing is: I grew up knowing Christ. As a young man in church camp, it was in July of 1979. I walked up to the front of the sanctuary, sacred of to the point of fainting and accepted Christ as my savior. And many times as a young man I felt God calling me – to be more- to work for Christ.
What happened? It was discontentment, self-centered philosophies, and glory hounding (pride seeking) that drove me. It was the determination to be known as successful, to have anything, which twisted a special calling. It led me more to seek more glory – not the glory offered by God. (I STILL SHAKE MY HEAD…) I was an idiot.
• I thought I would be happy, but yet I was miserable.
• I thought I could create my own success and was I miserable.
• I worked 80 hours a week to compensate and I was still miserable.
• I needed more and my desire to be in control, led me to misery.
I now know (for a fact) that it was God working through my wife and friends that it opened my eyes. It was a hard time, but I learned that my selfishness and pride was the cause, humility and contentment the lesson. I left those jobs that demanded so much – those jobs that put me on track to riches… Thank God for my wife. It was when I finally surrendered control of my life, when I gave my purpose and life to God. That was when he showed me my original call and service.
I am God focused and centered; content, and grateful. I know now that the “American Dream” is the dream of living a simple, faithful and fulfilling life.
(Do I still get in the way? Sometimes - the drive for success in all of us... But that is another story.)
There once was a man that thought, “God helps those who help themselves.” He was taught at a young age: “If you wanted something done, you had to do it.” He had everything: a great job, new cars, expensive house, good-looking wife, kids and he owned lots of land to play on (with his man toys). But yet, he was not content. He needed more! Nothing could satisfy him. This driving passion eventually leads him to distance himself from his family by dedicating himself to work. He started to travel more and to be even further away from his family. What was the leading cause…? Discontentment, personal drive, success, riches, pride? Yep, all of it drove him in the pursuit of being: more successful, building more prestige, making more money. He wanted to “have it all,” to be the master of his own destiny.
Matthew 16:26 (NIV), “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
You see… I… was well on my way to losing my soul. The thing is: I grew up knowing Christ. As a young man in church camp, it was in July of 1979. I walked up to the front of the sanctuary, sacred of to the point of fainting and accepted Christ as my savior. And many times as a young man I felt God calling me – to be more- to work for Christ.
What happened? It was discontentment, self-centered philosophies, and glory hounding (pride seeking) that drove me. It was the determination to be known as successful, to have anything, which twisted a special calling. It led me more to seek more glory – not the glory offered by God. (I STILL SHAKE MY HEAD…) I was an idiot.
• I thought I would be happy, but yet I was miserable.
• I thought I could create my own success and was I miserable.
• I worked 80 hours a week to compensate and I was still miserable.
• I needed more and my desire to be in control, led me to misery.
I now know (for a fact) that it was God working through my wife and friends that it opened my eyes. It was a hard time, but I learned that my selfishness and pride was the cause, humility and contentment the lesson. I left those jobs that demanded so much – those jobs that put me on track to riches… Thank God for my wife. It was when I finally surrendered control of my life, when I gave my purpose and life to God. That was when he showed me my original call and service.
I am God focused and centered; content, and grateful. I know now that the “American Dream” is the dream of living a simple, faithful and fulfilling life.
(Do I still get in the way? Sometimes - the drive for success in all of us... But that is another story.)
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